Merkel the UK’s ‘most important partner’ on EU reform

Preview and reports of Anglo-German summit in London, 27 February 2014 between United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Speaking on BBC television on the 23 February 2014, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague commented that Chancellor Angela Merkel was the UK's 'most important partner' in reforming the EU.

Open Europe published the results on the 26 February 2014 of a Open Europe / YouGov survey on UK and German attitudes towards the EU.

During her visit, Chancellor Merkel appealed for a strong United Kingdom voice inside the EU in an address to the upper and lower houses of British parliament. She said London was needed to help bring reform to the bloc.

However, she also said she could not promise a fundamental EU reform that would fully satisfy Britain, though she acknowledged expectations were high.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: UK and Germany dislike EU 'welfare tourism' plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-and-germany-dislike-eu-welfare-tourism-plan/

The Guardian, 24.02.14: Angela Merkel is key partner for EU reform, says William Hague http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/23/angela-merkel-key-partner-european-union-reform-william-hague

ESO: Background information: Schäuble advocates separate eurozone parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/schauble-advocates-separate-eurozone-parliament/

ESO: Background information: Speech: Britain and Germany: Partners in reform http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-britain-and-germany-partners-in-reform/

Open Europe: Press Release, 24.02.14: New Open Europe briefing: A new Anglo-German bargain on EU reform? Key opportunities and pitfalls http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Article?id=19659

Open Europe: Briefing, February 2014: New Open Europe briefing: A new Anglo-German bargain on EU reform? Key opportunities and pitfalls http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Content/Documents/Pdfs/140224AngloGermanbargain.pdf

BBC News, 27.02.14: Angela Merkel: EU reform not 'piece of cake' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26362034

The Guardian, 26.02.14: Angela Merkel to exhort Britain to remain in EU http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/angela-merkel-westminster-speech-european-union

The Guardian, 25.02.14: Angela Merkel ready to offer Britain limited EU opt-outs http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/25/angela-merkel-concessions-britain-eu-nhs

EUObserver, 27.02.14: Germans and Brits back EU vetoes for national parliaments http://euobserver.com/news/123290

Open Europe: Press Release, 26.02.14: New OE poll shows Merkel and Cameron should have plenty to talk about http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/new-oe-poll-shows-merkel-and-cameron.html

Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: Merkel will have to treat Cameron gently http://dw.de/p/1BG7z

Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: 'Nobody knows where Britain is heading' http://dw.de/p/1BFp2

BBC News [Video], 26.02.14: Germany's Angela Merkel to address UK parliament http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26363521

BBC News, 27.02.14: Merkel beats wary path to London amid uncertain EU ties http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26358869

Deutsche Welle, 27.02.14: Chancellor Merkel appeals for strong UK voice inside EU http://dw.de/p/1BGXt

The Guardian, 27.02.14: Angela Merkel hints at EU treaty change but sends warning to Britain http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/angela-merkel-eu-treaty-warning-britain

Open Europe: Press Release, 27.02.14: Merkel's speech: far too early to jump to conclusions http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/merkels-speech-far-too-early-to-jump-to.html

EUObserver, 27.02.14: Merkel: EU needs Britain in order to reform http://euobserver.com/political/123299

EurActiv, 27.02.14: Merkel tells Cameron she cannot satisfy all Britain's EU wishes http://www.euractiv.com/uk-europe/germanys-merkel-tells-cameron-sa-news-533822

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street: Speeches, 27.02.14: David Cameron and Angela Merkel press conference: February 2014 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-cameron-and-angela-merkel-press-conference-february-2014

The Economist, 27.02.14: Merkel a good adviser for the British (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE139268-Merkel-a-good-adviser-for-the-British

British Influence, 28.02.14: Savvy banality: Changing the notion of reform in the EU http://britishinfluence.org/savvy-banality-changing-notion-reform-eu/

DGAP: Press Release, 27.02.14: Merkel set for historic UK visit https://dgap.org/en/think-tank/presse/dgap-in-den-medien/merkel-set-historic-uk-visit

UK: Parliament: Parliamentary Business: News, 27.02.14: Angela Merkel visits UK Parliament (includes text and recording of her speech) http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2014/february/german-chancellor-visit/

Euronews, 28.02.14: Merkel wants strong UK with strong voice inside EU http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/28/merkel-wants-strong-uk-with-strong-voice-inside-eu/

Social Europe Journal, 17.03.14: Angela Merkel, Britain And The EU http://www.social-europe.eu/2014/03/britain/

DGAP: Press Release, 28.02.14: Merkel addresses British parliament https://dgap.org/en/think-tank/presse/dgap-in-den-medien/merkel-addresses-british-parliament

---